MassVoter.com← Ayer Select BoardAyer Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
November 18, 2025
12 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Jannice L. Livingston, Christopher E. Tavares, Shaun C. Copeland
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approve the agenda as submitted
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
FY '26 Excess Levy Capacity
For the Select Board not to adopt the small commercial exemption
Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland for the Select Board not to adopt the small commercial exemption. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland for the Select Board not to adopt the small commercial exemption. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Tavares, second: Copeland)
For the Select Board not to adopt the open space discount
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board not to adopt the open space discount. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board not to adopt the open space discount. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
For the Select Board not to adopt the residential exemption
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board not to adopt the residential exemption. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board not to adopt the residential exemption. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
For the Select Board not to adopt a single tax rate; and to further adopt a CIP Shift Factor of 1.63 and a Residential Factor of 0.7496
Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland for the Select Board not to adopt a single tax rate; and to further adopt a CIP Shift Factor of 1.63 and a Residential Factor of 0.7496. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland for the Select Board not to adopt a single tax rate; and to further adopt a CIP Shift Factor of 1.63 and a Residential Factor of 0.7496. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Tavares, second: Copeland)
Close the public hearing at 6:34 PM
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 6:34 PM. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 6:34 PM. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Public Hearing - Calendar Year '26 Solid Waste (Transfer Station) Rates
Approve the recommended transfer stations increase to the annual permit by $5 and the increase to the second permit by $10 as presented
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board to approve the recommended transfer stations increase to the annual permit by $5 and the increase to the second permit by $10 as presented. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares for the Select Board to approve the recommended transfer stations increase to the annual permit by $5 and the increase to the second permit by $10 as presented. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Close the public hearing at 6:48 PM
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 6:48 PM. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 6:48 PM. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Dan Van Schalkwyk, Director, Department of Public Works - Change Order 1 - FY26 Sewer System Rehabilitation
Approve Change Order No. 1 for the FY '26 Sewer System Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $8,200 (for signature by the Chair)
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve Change Order No. 1 for the FY '26 Sewer System Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $8,200 (for signature by the Chair) Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve Change Order No. 1 for the FY '26 Sewer System Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $8,200 (for signature by the Chair) Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Approve Change Order No. 2 for the Cambridge Street Water & Drainage Improvements Project in the amount of $8,975 (for signature by the Chair)
Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland to approve Change Order No. 2 for the Cambridge Street Water & Drainage Improvements Project in the amount of $8,975 (for signature by the Chair). Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland to approve Change Order No. 2 for the Cambridge Street Water & Drainage Improvements Project in the amount of $8,975 (for signature by the Chair). Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Tavares, second: Copeland)
New Business/Select Board Member Questions
Approve the meeting minutes of November 5, 2025
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve the meeting minutes of November 5, 2025. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to approve the meeting minutes of November 5, 2025. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Adjourn
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to adjourn at 7:03 PM. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to adjourn at 7:03 PM. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
From the Ayer Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2025 on) and Document Center (Agendas, Minutes and Packets › Minutes › Select Board, 2018–2024). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): stills from Ayer Public Access Corporation (APAC) videos — Chris Tavares (June 24, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind his nameplate), Jannice Livingston (August 31, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind her nameplate) and Shaun Copeland (APAC’s “Scout Finds Out” episode titled with his name, about 2019–20). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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